The Tyranny of Positivity

You enter a virtual all-hands, and your CEO starts off by asking “How’s everyone doing today?” in a big, booming voice.

The chat panel fills up with ecstatic responses:

“So great!”

“Excited!”

“Can’t wait for today!”

Then… “Not so great. I’m feeling kind of down about everything and pretty unmotivated today.”

——— Record scratch ———

It’s rare you’ll hear this sort of sentiment in a group work setting, and that’s because of what Harvard Medical School psychologist and management scholar Susan David called the “tyranny of positivity.” It’s simply not acceptable to express negativity at work — at least not when it comes to your feelings.

But that’s changing, as leaders like those I work with realize the profound importance of empathy in leadership. As reported by The Atlantic: “A 2009 study by the management professors Juan Madera and D. Brent Smith found that showing sorrow rather than anger sometimes creates better outcomes for leaders, including stronger relationships with their employees and being viewed as more effective.”

I’m not saying you should let it all hang out at work. But there’s room for people to be more real.